Cloves

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Cloves

Cloves (pronunciation: /kloʊvz/) are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia and are commonly used as a spice.

Etymology

The English word cloves comes from the Latin clavus meaning 'nail', as the shape of a dried clove resembles that of a small nail.

Description

Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They have a strong, sweet, aromatic flavor and are used in a variety of ways in cooking, particularly in sweet dishes and with fruit, especially apples and pears. They are also frequently used in pickling and for flavoring hot beverages.

Medical Uses

Cloves have been used in traditional medicine in many cultures for centuries. They are known for their antiseptic and analgesic properties. Clove oil, made from the distillation of dried cloves, is used in aromatherapy and as a topical analgesic. Cloves are also used in dentistry, where the essential oil is used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental emergencies.

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